Broussard on Johnathan Franklin: 'I think he has a big upside'

Mobile, Ala. --- Senior Bowl Week is often networking heaven for football coaches. With general managers and personnel men sprawling in all directions, there usually are many college and pro coaches on site.

After the North's practice Tuesday, I bumped into running backs coach Steve Broussard, who oversaw Johnathan Franklin's banner career at UCLA and was let go one season later.

Almost lost in Eddie Lacy's rookie season was the fact that the other rookie running back, the fourth-rounder, barely saw the field. Franklin rushed for 103 yards at Cincinnati in Week 2 and then had only six carries for four yards the rest of the season. He was placed on injured reserve in late November with a concussion.

Broussard believes Franklin can turn it around and make it at the next level.

"Once he understands the game and starts letting it come to him, he's going to be a good asset," Broussard said. "I'm excited about him."

Whereas Lacy soared from July on, Franklin got off to a sluggish start. Both James Starks and Alex Green out-performed the rookie through camp. Injuries hit the position and Franklin got his chance at Cincinnati. On a 51-yard run, Franklin proved he possesses breakaway speed. But he also had the crucial fumble in that game and fumbled again the next game.

Broussard says Franklin is "more of a slasher" as a runner. In Green Bay's dream scenario, the shifty Franklin would complement the bashing Lacy in the backfield. But G.M. Ted Thompson will have decisions to make. Starks rushed for 5.5 yards per carry in his contract year and one source said the team is still interested in re-signing him. And 2012 starter DuJuan Harris will also be returning from his knee injury.

This off-season will be an important one for Franklin.

"To take it to that next level, he just has to go ahead and take it on sometimes and stick his nose in there," Broussard said of Franklin. "He has the courage to do that, so I think once he starts to understand the game and doing those things, the upside is big. I think he has a big upside."

Broussard believes Franklin will come into his own with more touches. In contact with the rookie regularly, Broussard said Franklin's spirits were down for stretches during the summer.

"I think as time went on, he just started playing the game," Broussard said. "He was pressing a lot early. As he started getting comfortable with the system and comfortable with everything, I think it kind of showed in that one game.

"His main thing, like I always tell him, is hold onto the rock."

Because with one fumble, carries will be difficult to come by. That's one major reason Lacy became the team's workhorse. After one fumble in the season opener, he never fumbled again. Franklin sat.

"He knows that. He understands that," Broussard said. "I told him now, you're a pro. You've got to be conscious of those things. You're not going to have me in your ear every time telling you to lock it up. He has to take it as a personal deal and work on it. Knowing him, he'll do that and I don't think it'll be an issue."

About Tyler Dunne

Tyler Dunne covers the Green Bay Packers. He has been on the beat since 2011, winning awards with the Pro Football Writers of America and Milwaukee Press Club.